Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Black & White Wednesdays ~ Another Story


"Let the rain kiss you.
Let the rain beat upon your head
with silver liquid drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby."
Langston Hughs


I don't know how they know to follow, but they do.

They know to stay huddled close to each other, and close to mom and dad, and follow closely through the water. When dad digs his beak into the muddy pond floor to stir up food, they know to nibble and nourish themselves. When mom climbs to the shore and settles down to rest, they know to climb out and nestle in beside her. They know to settle down, smushed all together along one side of mama's long body, and rest. The family rests and papa stands guard. Stays alert. 

They're quite a team, these new parents. When one is occupied with the littles, the other is watching. Watching for signs of danger. For predators. They stick close together and work to nourish and protect. 

I stood under the trees, while a light rain fell, for several hours on Sunday. I marveled at the instincts, the know how. How seamlessly mom and dad navigated the parental waters. How easily the babes followed along. Part of me identified with the ease and simplicity of it all. Motherhood fit me. Came naturally. 

Until it didn't. Until those moments when I was unsure. Didn't know what to say, what to do ... where to lead the littles. Until those moments when I questioned myself, questioned their dad. Somehow, amidst the questions, we found enough answers and found our way. 

Standing in the rain, alone with my thoughts and memories, I felt so blessed. Sometimes the small storms that came blowing trough our lives came with rain that kissed us gently. Sometimes it beat down on us. Sometimes it sang us a lullaby. Whatever the case, we learned to swim together. When it was easy and when it was rough... 

Through it all, we find strength as a family. And keep on swimming.




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19 comments:

  1. This is a photo for the heart, adorable !
    ♥ly greetings from Germany

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  2. a.s.o.l.u.t.e.l.y stunning image!

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  3. Nature and instinct are simply amazing!!

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  4. My first thought as I began reading was 'wish my family could work like that'! Perhaps some day I'll look back and find that we did more than it feels like now! Precious moment you caught.

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  5. Your photo and your thoughts are heart warming… somehow we stay connected in mysterious ways, keep on swimming.

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  6. How sweet, your post and photo, sing a truly lovely lullaby for us today.

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  7. what a lovely little swan family

    Mollyxxx

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  8. That's the sweetest photograph I've seen in a long time. Thanks for your earlier visit. Blessings!

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  9. Hi Adrienne!
    I like this post and just love the photo! Don't you just love all the little baby birds and animals this time of year?

    I've been so busy, I hope one of these days to get back to blogging.

    Dawn
    @ A Place for Pictures and Memories

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  10. I remember telling one of the girls at work who was expecting her first baby that it would be okay. It doesn't seem like it at first, but around month 3 she would take her first real breath and realize that she wasn't going to break it. What I didn't share with her was that further down the road, just when you think you've got this 'thing', everything changes and what previously worked no longer fits. You quickly find yourself wondering how your own parents knew what to do, how did they not lose their shiz. Reality - we all paddle like heck under the water while making it look effortless and natural - like we have a reference book with all the answers. Parenting - the biggest ruse. It is hard. It is easy. It is painful. It is joyful. It is insane . I wouldn't trade it for anything.

    Lovely writing, fantastic parallels, taking what happens in nature and making it so relatable. Great image to edit in black and white.

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  11. Your little swan family is gorgeous.

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  12. I could watch a family like this for hours - even in the rain.

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  13. It's like you have a pocket of National Geographic in your backyard :) I love the family/life parallels you make... I've recently hit a patch where I'm having to learn a new stroke! My 9 year old son is beginning to ask a lot of questions about girls, and I'm not quite ready for that yet :0

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  14. I'm enjoying your posts on this little family on IG. So fun! I'm working hard to get back to regular blogging and participating with B&W Wed!

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  15. Very true! I love how you can see all the detail in the swans feathers.

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  16. it's just so natural...everyone just knows what to do!! their instincts are spot on and both parents and babies follow the ways of nature!!! it is incredible!!!!! and a gorgeous image!!!!!

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